Everytime I use Blacken-It on brass, it turns a nice dark black color – until it dries out, then it turns blotchy green. Or black with green blotches.
I’ve been rinsing off the BI solution after soaking the brass. Don’t know if that might be affecting things. Are you just supposed to let the solution dry out on the brass?
Probably not on long enough to really etch it properly.
Ray,
I gave up on the product. Firstly, the surface must be sterile to get a good etch and once dry, I found the surface would develop a powdery surface coating, causing deterioration of the item and scaling. The item would continue to form powder deposits, no matter how many times it is cleaned.
Works great for me. I usually give my metal bits a cleaning bath in alcohol before dipping them in the blacken-it. I usually pour a bit in with the metal bits in a little plastic cup and soak until done. If brushing on, I may brush on a couple of coats. Then I rinse it off well with water.
My bottle of blacken-it is a good 15 years old though I need to get a new one soon.
-Brian
Brian -
Ray’s experience is with Brass, Tim doesn’t say. Are you successful with Brass or white metal castings, or both ?
Perhaps your 15 year old bottle is an older formula. Might have some nasties in it that are no longer allowed thanks to the Fruits & Nuts of our far western neighbors 
The green is Patina effect. It will turn both brass and bronze green. Simulates aging.
You need a different chemical, not available at hobby shops for brass/bronze to make it brown without the green.
Blacken it is more for pot metal like Ozarks stuff.
Jon Radder said:
Brian - Ray’s experience is with Brass, Tim doesn’t say. Are you successful with Brass or white metal castings, or both ? Perhaps your 15 year old bottle is an older formula. Might have some nasties in it that are no longer allowed thanks to the Fruits & Nuts of our far western neighbors
I use it on both brass and white metal but it works better on brass for me. It possibly could be a old stronger formula. These “hinges” made from sheet brass show the results I typically get -
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n214/altterrain/hinge.jpg)
-Brian
Jon,
I only used it on quality brass. Preparations included thorough cleaning with a scouring action to ensure all traces of dirt, grease, etc were removed. I would then immerse the object in the fluid. When the item had blackened, I would retrieve and rinse. Object would look great for a few days, then the powdery coating or scaling would occur.
Thanks guys. Looks like it used to be a good product. Brian’s hinges look great.
